Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2016

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9454 of May 26, 2016

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

With courage and a love of country that knows no
limits, America's men and women in uniform exemplify
patriotism at its core--stepping into harm's way to
protect our people and to safeguard the ideals that
have long sustained our democracy. Those who serve
under the stars and stripes embody the highest form of
citizenship, and on Memorial Day, we pay solemn tribute
to those brave Americans who laid down their lives to
defend our freedom.

Since America's earliest days, proud patriots have
forged a safer, more secure Nation, and though
battlefields have changed and technology has evolved,
the selflessness of our service members has remained
steadfast. They have stepped forward when our country
was locked in revolution and civil war; fought threats
of fascism and terrorism; and led the way in securing
peace and stability around the globe. They have
sacrificed more than most of us could ever imagine--not
for glory or gratitude, but for causes greater than
themselves. In the children who replicate their courage
and strength, in the spouses and partners who forever
seek to mend their broken hearts, and in the parents
who mourn the absence of the sons and daughters they
raised, we are reminded of our enduring commitment to
do right by our fallen warriors and their families.

Those who gave their last full measure of devotion for
the values that bind us as one people deserve our
utmost respect and gratitude. In recognizing those who
made the ultimate sacrifice, we pledge to never stop
working to fulfill our obligations to all members of
our Armed Forces so they know we stand beside them
every step of the way--not just when we need them, but
also when they need us.

Today, and every day, let us remember the servicemen
and women we have lost, and let us honor them by
rededicating ourselves to strengthening our Nation's
promise. With love, grace, and reflection, let us honor
our fallen fellow Americans, known and unknown, who
sacrificed their freedom to ensure our own.

In honor of all of our fallen service members, the
Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950,
as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President
issue a proclamation calling on the people of the
United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of
prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on
that day when the people of the United States might
unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579,
has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as
a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way,
the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial
Day, May 30, 2016, as a day of prayer for permanent
peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each
locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time during
which people may unite in prayer.

I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment
of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on
Memorial Day. I request the Governors of the United
States and its Territories, and the appropriate
officials of

all units of government, to direct that the flag be
flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on
all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout
the United States and in all areas under its
jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of
the United States to display the flag at half-staff
from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

5-31-16; 8:45 am]